By Tom Morgan
People offer many reasons for not serving in our armed forces. They offer many reasons for their kids not serving. They offer many reasons for not wanting military recruiters or ROTC to be on campuses. Or to be allowed to talk with high school kids. Even though they welcome recruiters from companies and other prospective employers.
Among the reasons:
1. I hate war at any time, any place.
2. I am afraid I will die in combat. Or that my son or daughter will.
3. Using the military is no way to solve problems.
4. This country is not worth defending.
5. It is wrong to train people to kill.
6. I feel shame whenever I see men or women in military uniforms.
They offer many more reasons.
Two authors explore how millions of Americans shun military service. Especially our upper classes. Their book: The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes from Military Service - and How It Hurts Our Country.
Each of the authors harbored anti-military feelings. Until one married a Marine pilot. And the other watched, in dismay, his son enlist in the Marines.
They both noticed that nobody else in their circles of friends had connections with our military. For good reason. Our upper classes turn their backs on military service.
They point out that most of our prestigious universities see few of their graduates go into the military. The opposite was once true. In 1956, for instance, 400 members of Princeton’s graduating class joined the military. And there was no war at the time. In recent years as few as 9 joined.
